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Vehicle Comparisons:
Nissan Altima vs. Nissan Maxima

The 2016 Nissan Maxima and the 2016 Nissan Altima are taking over the streets of Lansdale, Philadelphia and Doylestown. Why? Because they’re sporty, they’re stylish and they’re all new for 2016. But which is better?

The answer to that question isn’t so simple. Since the Nissan Maxima and the Nissan Altima can give you two different driving experiences, it depends on your preferences. But to help get an idea of which model offers everything you want in your next new car, here’s Montgomeryville Nissan’s comparison of the Nissan Altima and the Nissan Maxima.

Their Boldest Look Yet

Both the 2016 Nissan Maxima and the 2016 Nissan Altima received redesigns for 2016. They feature brand new bodies that are really setting them apart from the competition.

The latest Nissan Maxima is the considered to be the brand’s sport sedan, and its exterior shows it. It has shed is cookie-cutter look and adopted an aggressive, bold and unique exterior design that is sportier than ever before. It features sculpted character lines, chromed tipped exhausts and exclusive signature lighting. On top of that, it was one of the first Nissan models to incorporate the floating roof design for added style.

This year’s Nissan Altima is less aggressive than the Maxima. It has few external design changes but they’re bold enough to catch your attention. This year’s model comes with a redesigned front grille and headlights with available LED lights. Plus, premium taillights have been installed to add some style to its rear end.

Enhanced Interior Design

Along with a new body, the Nissan Altima and Nissan Maxima also come with redesigned interiors. Within the Altima, you’ll find its interior to be more luxurious than ever before. It’s made with more premium materials and features a driver-centric layout with an ergonomic center stack for your convenience. It also comes with more advanced comfort features like Dual Zone Climate Control.

The interior style of the Nissan Maxima combines luxury and sport styles to create a distinct look. Its cockpit-like seating area is accented to various features like a flat-bottomed steering wheel that complement the sedan’s sporty exterior. You’ll also find a number of luxury amenities such as ambient lighting, Zero Gravity climate controlled front seats and a dual panoramic moonroof to enhance your overall driving experience and ensure comfort.

Which is Bigger: The Maxima or the Altima?

When it comes to overall size, it’s hard to tell which 2016 Nissan sedan is bigger. That’s because there’s very little difference in exterior size between them. Overall, the Maxima is about one inch wider and longer than the Altima, while the Altima is about one inch taller than the Maxima.

While their exteriors have very similar dimensions, their interiors are a different story. Though the Maxima is slightly larger, it offers less interior space. It has about 98.6 cubic feet of passenger volume and 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space. The Altima has 101.9 cubic feet of passenger space and 15.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Front seat legroom is the same for both vehicles, but the Altima offers two more inches of legroom in the rear seats than the Maxima.

Advanced Technologies

For the most part, the 2016 Maxima and the 2016 Altima are equipped with the same advanced technologies. These include the NissanConnect℠ infotainment system, the Advanced Drive-Assist® Display and a high-tech audio system. They also come with available NissanConnect℠ Services for access to security features, remote services, and much more.

The only difference in technologies between the two are their safety features. Ones in the Nissan Altima include a rearview monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Sport Warning and Predictive Forward Collision Warning with Forward Emergency Braking.

The Nissan Maxima features all the amenities listed above, as well. However, it also has the Around View Monitor® with Moving Object Detection and Intelligent Cruise Control. Best of all, it offers Driver Attention Assist. This can detect when you’re driving drowsy and suggests breaks to help you stay safe.

Sport Performance

Performance is where the Nissan Maxima and the Nissan Altima contrast the most. The 2016 Altima is designed to be more of a family sedan, so its performance focuses more on fuel economy than power. It comes standard with 2.5L I-4 engine that gets 182 horsepower. It works with the standard Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission® (CVT) to provide smoother shifts and up to an EPA-estimated 39 highway mpg. It also comes with an available 3.6L V6 engine. This gets 270 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 232 highway mpg.

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is geared more toward drivers looking to experience an exhilarating performance. It’s powered by a 3.5L V6 engine that uses the some of the same technologies as the brand’s sports car model, the GT-R. This is able to produce a whopping 300 horsepower. On top of that, it’s equipped with a Drive Mode Selector to tweak certain parts under the hood to create an even sportier performance.

In terms of fuel economy, the Maxima gets an EPA-estimated 30 highway mpg thanks to its advanced Xtronic CVT®.

Which is Better?

Again, determining which model is better between the 2016 Nissan Maxima and the 2016 Nissan Altima will depend on your preferences and whether you’re looking for something sporty or something for the family. Most importantly, it will depend on how you feel when you’re behind the wheel.

So get an idea of what it’s like to drive the new Nissan Altima and Nissan Maxima to discover which is best for you. Both are now available at Montgomeryville Nissan near Philadelphia, Lansdale and Doylestown. Visit our showroom at 991 Bethlehem Pike in Montgomeryville or call us at 888-431-2905 to schedule your test drive today!